Chapter 50

 "Zhuangzi?" Bao Ning looked at him in astonishment. "Where did you get so much money from?"

"In these past few months, I've been doing some small business," Ji Yun furrowed his brow, carefully choosing his words in his mind but couldn't find a suitable expression, so he decided not to say more. "Sister, rest assured, it's all legitimate trading, nothing shady."

Bao Ning still found it unbelievable. "You're so young, how much money have you made that you can afford Zhuangzi?"

"I worked together with my second brother-in-law. He provided the funds, and I put in the effort, dealing in some land deed businesses." Ji Yun refused to elaborate further, brushing her off, "Sister, aspirations don't wait for age."

The second brother-in-law was a noble son of the Chongyuan Marquis's mansion named Jia Xian. Bao Ning had met him once—a refined and cultured gentleman. Hearing Ji Yun's explanation, it seemed more plausible to her. Though she still had doubts, she didn't press further. Ji Yun was a decisive person, and besides, he needed to gain experience gradually.

"Just one rule: no gambling and no involvement with those types of people. Also, no embezzlement, illegal acts, or harming others' lives," Bao Ning threatened him. "Otherwise, I'll tell Mother and break your legs!"

Ji Yun understood what she meant by "those types of people." Places like Yingchun Tower. Bao Ning felt awkward saying it, using the term to cover up.

Ji Yun chuckled in agreement, his gaze somewhat probing Bao Ning's expression. He wondered if his silly sister knew about Pei Yuan's past dealings from his youth.

Having been with Jia Xian for a long time, Ji Yun had heard quite a bit about the scandals of the royal family and noble houses, and he had some knowledge of Pei Yuan's past. Setting aside his temperament, Pei Yuan was notorious, known to the world. He was strong in martial arts, having served on the northern frontier for years under the General-in-Chief's command, gaining significant military achievements. Moreover, Pei Yuan was wealthy.

Ji Yun didn't know why Pei Yuan had fallen into such a state when he first saw him. But from what he understood, Pei Yuan's wealth far exceeded what was publicly known.

Pei Yuan had been stationed in the northern frontier for years, occasionally returning to the capital. He enjoyed revelry and seemed adept at dark businesses. Things Bao Ning disliked, he had dabbled in, some even with great success.

But from the tone of Bao Ning's voice, it seemed his naive sister was unaware of this.

Ji Yun ran his fingers over the handle of his teacup, lowering his gaze for a moment before glancing at Bao Ning.

She really was carefree. She had stopped talking about his money, now leaning her chin on her hand and looking at the riverbank, watching a few children running and flying kites. Several pleasure boats floated on the river, sparking her interest. She invited Ji Yun to join her later to enjoy the scenery.

"Brother-in-law won't be pleased," Ji Yun shook his head. "I came just to see you, to give you the land deeds, see that you're doing well, and now I'm at ease. I'll leave soon."

"Just for a little while then," Bao Ning sounded disappointed. She turned her head to look for Pei Yuan's figure but couldn't find him. Then she turned back to Ji Yun. "Won't you even stay for a meal?"

"No, thank you," Ji Yun pursed his lips, hesitated to speak, but finally said, "Sister, I hope you'll find happiness."

Bao Ning smiled, "Of course I know, I'm doing well now."

"But you mustn't be too trusting," Ji Yun said seriously. "Don't always be so naive. Trust people by their actions, and keep an escape route for yourself. Some people are not as they seem."

Bao Ning was a bit confused.

Ji Yun realized he had been too harsh and decided not to pursue this further. He sighed lightly, took out a sealed envelope from his sleeve, slid it over to Bao Ning on the table. "This has the location of Zhuangzi. Remember it. There are always servants there. Whenever you want to relax, just go."

Bao Ning held the envelope in her hand, looking at it from different angles, feeling delighted. She glanced at Ji Yun and smiled, "My little brother has grown up and achieved something."

"You look silly," Ji Yun chuckled softly. Bao Ning glared at him playfully, then asked about the recent situation of the Xu family, relieved to hear that they were well.

But there had been some chaos recently in the Duke's mansion. Tao Shi was about to give birth, and Ji Jiaying was preparing to marry.

Although she would be the Crown Prince's concubine, she held a noble position, and most importantly, the Court Diviner had determined that the match between Ji Jiaying and Pei Xiao was highly auspicious and beneficial for the state's fortune. The Emperor was pleased and bestowed great favor, planning a grand banquet with many dignitaries, including the women of the Ji family.

The siblings had a lot to catch up on and spoke for a while. After less than a quarter of an hour, Pei Yuan still hadn't returned.

Ji Yun stood up, smiling, "Sister, I'm leaving. If I stay longer, even if it gets dark, your husband won't come back."

Bao Ning suddenly felt uneasy. Ji Yun patted her shoulder comfortingly, hugged her, then turned and walked away.

Bao Ning watched Ji Yun's figure from afar. He was still somewhat slender, unlike Pei Yuan's sturdy build, but he had a straight and youthful posture. Watching him disappear into the crowd after turning a corner, Bao Ning finally lowered her head, her eyes feeling a bit moist.

"Is he gone?" Pei Yuan didn't know when he had returned, sitting beside her. Seeing her red eyes and furrowed brows, he reached out to wipe her tears. "Weren't you just happy a moment ago? Now you're crying."

"What do you know? He's my own little brother. I just miss him, what's wrong with that?" Bao Ning pushed away his hand, deliberately teasing him.

Pei Yuan's face darkened. He didn't like Bao Ning dividing her heart, especially not with another man. Not even for her own brother or father.

"Where did you go just now? It took you so long to relieve yourself," Bao Ning looked into his eyes, noticing his mood but not intending to coax him, continuing to press, a bit aggressive, "Are you deliberately avoiding us?"

Pei Yuan looked away. "No."

Bao Ning felt a sense of grievance, and her tone wasn't very good, "Pei Yuan, I think you have a problem with my family."

"Alright, Ningning," Pei Yuan softened first, pinching Bao Ning's nape of the neck, coaxing her like a cat. "I know you care about your family. In a few days, I'll buy some gifts and take you to visit your aunt. How about that?". Bao Ning decided not to argue with him anymore. In her heart, she thought that perhaps Pei Yuan had lost his mother since he was young and had been away for many years, lacking even fatherly love. With such a scheming elder brother, his familial affection was thin and insignificant, and he didn't take family matters seriously, which was understandable. These were not things she could correct in a moment; they could only change slowly.

Seeing her mood lighten a bit, Pei Yuan relaxed slightly. He reached into his sleeve and teased her with a string of oiled paper parcels, saying, "Look, I bought you something."

Taking it and unwrapping it, Bao Ning found a shiny red candied hawthorn on a stick, sprinkled with sesame seeds and emitting a sweet and sour fragrance.

"Consider it a gesture," Bao Ning muttered angrily as she took a big bite and walked away. "How's your apology letter coming along?"

"I've got a draft," Pei Yuan said, pulling Bao Ning back. He learned to play pitiful, knowing that Bao Ning was most concerned about his leg, and sought sympathy. "My leg hurts, go slow, wait for me."

Bao Ning's heart shrank and she quickly looked at Pei Yuan, seeing the pain on his face, she hurried to support him. "Does it hurt a lot? Should we go back now?"

"It's nothing serious, just this apology letter..." Pei Yuan glanced at her. Bao Ning caught the calculation in his eyes. After a moment's thought, she realized he was teasing her.

"You're really childish, joking about something like this!" Bao Ning shook him off in annoyance, bit into the candied hawthorn, and chewed on the candy skin, making a crackling sound. "I won't believe you anymore."

"Don't, I'll recite it for you, isn't that enough?" Pei Yuan coaxed her, his arm across Bao Ning's chest, his nose rubbing against her neck. "I'll recite it for you right now."

The gesture was too intimate; many passers-by looked over and whispered to each other.

Bao Ning was both embarrassed and angry. She stomped on his foot, and Pei Yuan changed his posture, pulling her wrist, really finding a secluded place with no one around, near a broken bridge.

There were stone piers on both sides of the bridge, and not far away was a boat moored with its sails raised high, as if ready to set sail.

Pei Yuan made Bao Ning sit on a stone pier, his hands behind his back, pacing in front of her. Looking very embarrassed, his face darkened, it took him a long time to say the first sentence: "My name is Pei Yuan."

Bao Ning laughed.

"I apologize to Ji Bao Ning for my impulsive actions that day." Pei Yuan turned around several times, unable to say the next sentence.

Having finished the candied hawthorn, Bao Ning took a long stick in her hand and laughed at him with a smile: "What's next?"

"I won't let such things happen again in the future. Otherwise..." Bao Ning waited for his next sentence, Pei Yuan bit his teeth, heartlessly said, "I'll bark three times in public!"

Bao Ning said: "There are only fifty words in total, and you owe me four hundred and fifty."

Pei Yuan was stunned.

The wind blew and a leaf fell on his shoulder. Bao Ning stood up and picked it up for him. She put the leaf in her hand and blew it into the water with a puff of air. She had had enough fun and looked at Pei Yuan, who was still standing straight and stiff, embracing her chest and saying, "Five hundred words promised, not one less."

"Don't force me," Pei Yuan narrowed his eyes.

"Then I said that, you can count." She held Bao Ning's shoulder with both hands, holding back a breath, almost shouting, "I was wrong, I was wrong, I was wrong, I was wrong, I was wrong."

Bao Ning was completely dumbfounded.

......

"Your Highness, what do you think the Fourth Prince and the Fourth Princess are talking about?"

The eunuch near Pei Xiao, Chang An, stood in front of him and looked at the bridge. There was a pair of people standing together intimately, like arguing.

Pei Xiao's fist was against his lips and he coughed lightly twice: "I don't know."

"Their relationship looks very good." Chang An sighed, thinking of something, sighed, "If I had known this earlier, when I was in the suburban villa, I should have taken a hard hand and killed him. Who can think of being poisoned like that, he can still stand up, now it is no different from a good person."

"Don't worry, he is about to die. Pei Xiao's expression turned cold, "You guessed wrong. I didn't kill him at the beginning, not because I couldn't be cruel, but because Wei Meng of the Running Wolf Army was in the capital a while ago. He still had a beacon smoke in his hand. If you touch him rashly, the beacon smoke will rise, and Wei Meng will know it, which may lead to a counterattack."

Chang An thought for a while and asked, "What is the beacon smoke?"

Pei Xiao said, "The internal contact information of the Benlang Army is a kind of signal smoke that lasts for a long time after it rises. They don't disperse, so that they can entangle all nearby troops in times of danger. The color of their smoke is different, it is yellow."

Chang An suddenly realized. He shook his head: "I heard that Wei Meng was originally a bandit leader in the Qilian Mountains. Why did he suddenly join the army and get involved with the fourth prince?"

"Birds of a feather flock together, and people form groups." Pei Xiao lowered his eyes and drank. He drank some tea and said, "Crazy people also like to make friends with crazy people."

He said no more and just drank tea. After a long time, he raised his head and saw that the pair of figures over there had disappeared. Pei Xiao's eyes were fixed on the square stone pier where Baoning had stayed.

Pei Xiao suddenly remembered the way Baoning looked when she was blowing leaves into the water. Her eyebrows were very lively, delicate, and she felt relaxed and happy. It was a kind of relaxation that he had never experienced before.

..................................................................................................................

Previous                                                                                   Next